K-12 STEM Model School Collaboratory

Development of the San Diego K-12 STEM Model School Collaboratory       

CALL TO ACTION (we need your organization response by May 10)

San Diego STEM Schools Collaboratory is an Investing in Innovation (i3) fund proposal to implement a nimble and interactive countywide partnership, led by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) in partnership with 14 independent school districts, the San Diego Science Alliance, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and 50 additional private sector partners.  Learn more...

Strategies for Private Sector Engagement

San Diego is well positioned to develop this model program that can provide classrooms in the region’s 42 school districts with expertise and resources from a broad spectrum of stakeholders.  These stakeholders include representation from the private sector, non-profit organizations, and informal education and professional societies, and will be instrumental in strengthening relevant STEM learning opportunities and improve student outcomes.

Learn more about ways your organization can become involved.  And see examples of organizations already committed to supporting the K-12 STEM Model School Collaboratory.

• San Diego Science Alliance letter of support (PDF, 2 pages)
  
• San Diego Supercomputer Center letter of support (PDF 2 pages)
• Classroom of the Future Foundation
• San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
• CONNECT
• Apple letter of support (PDF, 1 page)
• J. Craig Venter Institute letter of support (PDF, 1 page)
  

April 22, 2010 K-12 STEM Forum

Overview of San Diego in the Global Economy

Andrew Poat, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation

EDC published their Partnerships for the Global Economy report that highlights the opportunities for San Diego in the global economy.  High wage jobs in high demand sectors of the region demand STEM education skills.  In the past two years, EDC convened on-going discussions about K-12 STEM education initiatives that will better position the San Diego region to sustain the growth of these important industry sectors.  (PDF presentation)

Economic Forecast: STEM Jobs
How Education Pays and Will Build Competitiveness

Chuck Flack, San Diego Workforce Partnership

The San Diego Workforce Partnership presents the statistics behind the claim that San Diego will have many more high-paying jobs based on STEM disciplines.  Students are often surprised to learn how valuable these jobs can be.  The K-12 STEM Model Collaboratory intends to provide those students with the learning opportunities to qualify for those high-paying STEM jobs. (PDF presentation)

Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund

Richard Beach, San Diego Science Alliance

The federal Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund provides $650 million for innovative programs that can address some of the nation's priorities for K-12 STEM education.  This grant program emphasizes the need for programs that can scale to the regional, state and national levels.  Applications will need to demonstrate evidence that the ideas have a solid research basis for believing that they will produce the outcomes desired, as well as commit to an evaluation plan that will collect, analyze and present results of the innovative program.  A key commitment required of all applications is a 20% match by private funds for the requested grant. (PDF presentation)

K-12 STEM Model School Collaboratory

Nancy Taylor, Science Coordinator, San Diego County Office of Education

This presentation introduces the innovative program design to support local school districts with resources from community partners to achieve greater student achievement based on using interdisciplinary STEM activities that address all of the academic subjects of science, math, language, technology, and engineering. (PDF presentation)

About the K-12 STEM Model School Collaboratory

SDCOE leads this effort as the Local Educational Agency that qualifies to submit a proposal to the Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund of the federal Department of Education.

Local school districts commit resources and school sites to participate in this collaboratory.  Teachers will participate in summer professional development programs, reinforce these ideas during in-school Lesson Study days, and receive visits from STEM professionals from businesses and community organizations.

Key stakeholders and coordinating groups in San Diego join the collaboratory to ensure that widespread support for these innovations.